Members of the Phoenix Suns front office gave over $31,000 to Phoenix City Council members since 2012, according to data from the city’s campaign finance records.
The funds went to five of the eight current council members, who plan to vote on whether the city will help pay for the proposed renovations of the Talking Stick Resort Arena, where the Suns play, on Wednesday.
The deal is being pushed due to an obsolescence clause in the original 1989 contract between the city and the Suns, which states if the Suns determine the arena to be obsolete by July 1, 2019, they can leave 10 years before their lease expires in 2022 rather than 2032.
According to the City of Phoenix public campaign finance records, seven of the top ranking officials on the ownership and executive team have made donations since 2012. Bill Scheel, a partner at the Javelina political consultancy firm, said that some donations are not as influential as others.
“A donation from 2012 certainly would have less influence or perceived influence than a donation from two to three months ago,” Scheel said.
The Suns also donated to mayoral candidates Daniel Valenzuela, who used to represent District 5, and Kate Gallego, who used to represent District 8.
Valenzuela has received much more than Gallego, particularly since 2017 when it became clear that the Mayor’s seat would become open following then-Mayor Greg Stanton’s announcement that he would run for Congress.
In total Valenzuela has received nearly $15,000 from the Suns over the past five years. Gallego received $2,000 in donations from the Suns in 2013.
Both campaigns declined to comment on this story.
ASU Professor George Pettit of the School of Public Affairs said the Suns donating to the city council is not uncommon for most businesses.
“It is very typical for business attorneys, real estate companies, construction companies, any number of industries to donate to city council members,” Pettit said.
Scheel echoed this and said the Suns are a business as well as a sports team.
“You need to think of a sports team as a business first and foremost; those executives who are donating are doing it in the role as local business executives,” Scheel said. “Certainly a lot of what goes on at city hall is various interest groups want to get their proposals passed, and I don’t think the Suns are any different.”
The plan will cost a total of $230 million, with $150 million coming from the city and $80 million from the Suns. Phoenix would pay for infrastructure improvements, such as plumbing, while the team would pay for improving the fan experience, such as beefed-up suites. The plan also extends the lease for five years to 2037, with an opt-in clause for the Suns to extend it five more to 2042.
Robert Sarver, the Managing Partner of the Suns, and all three vice-chairmen donated a total of $13,000 to the campaigns of Laura Pastor of District 4, Sal DiCiccio of District 6, Jim Waring of District 2 and Debra Stark of District 3.
President and CEO Jason Rowley has made donations totaling $1,000 to Pastor, DiCiccio and Waring dating back to 2012. Senior VP of Ticket Operations Ralph Marchetta also donated $2,000 to Pastor and DiCiccio since 2014. Marla Baler, senior VP of Public Affairs, has donated to Pastor and interim mayor and Councilwoman for District 1, Thelda Williams.
Scheel argues it is up to council members to navigate the “partnership” between the city and these industries.
“The test for council members is can they provide and display independent decision making, notwithstanding those donations? You will see developers and other business leaders doing the same thing, and I think it certainly presents perception problems for council members,” Scheel said.
Contact the reporter at ldiethel@asu.edu
Lisa Diethelm is the Politics editor for the Downtown Devil while she studies at The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in downtown Phoenix. She grew up in California and started her journalism career in high school.
